Posted By Troy E. Renck On June 6, 2011 @ 6:07 pm In Game Day,Rockies on Deck | No Comments

SAN DIEGO — Carlos Gonzalez left with two impressions after meeting with manager Jim Tracy before tonight’s game. He could be in center for awhile and, if he regains his strike discipline returns, he will return to the third spot in the order.

“That’s where I’d like to be. Hitting leadoff is something I have done before with success. It doesn’t matter how many RBIs I get at this point, you know, if we aren’t winning,” Gonzalez said. “I need to just focus on getting on base. Maybe this can help.”

The reality is that CarGo and Troy Tulowitzki are both streaky hitters. It makes for a powerful dynamic when they are hot, but can be paralyzing when they are slumping. Splitting the two, even if it’s only for a week or two, creates more options. It opens Gonzalez to steal bases more freely, something that he wasn’t able to do hitting in front of Tulo. It also could create more traffic for Todd Helton, who works an at-bat better than any Rockie, and Tulowitzki.

Gonzalez’s shift to center field bought more time for the Rockies before making a decision on Dexter Fowler. He’s expected to land on the disabled list with a strained left abdomen. He’s not available tonight and Charlie Blackmon is on his way from Triple-A.

Ryan Spilborghs will start in left field tonight with Seth Smith in right even with a left-hander on the mound. Smith will continue to get more at-bats against lefties given his consistency at the plate this season.